Yesterday, July 28, I had the amazing opportunity to attend a march and rally for LGBT marriage equality in Madison, Wisconsin. This event had a different feel to it than the other two marches and several other demonstrations that I’ve taken part in. The other gatherings were more of a shout out to the entire nation. They were a group of second-class citizens professing their longing to be treated as everyone else; yesterday did not seem to be the same case. Four hundred and sixty-six equal marriage supporters assembled in Madison, rallying at Library Mall, marching down State Street and gathering by the Capitol. These passionate members of society came face-to-face with the National Organization for Marriage (NOM)’s “Summer for Marriage Tour 2010: One Man, One Woman.”
The Summer for Marriage Tour plans to stop in 23 cities in 19 states total and has left quite a bit in their wake so far. In Indianapolis, a NOM supporter held a sign stating “The Solution To Gay Marriage,” depicting two nooses (shown to the right). There is also a video floating around the Internet of an equal rights supporter stating that one of NOM’s supporters had given her a fist to the stomach and then simply kept walking. Through the cities that NOM has already traveled, the supporters for NOM continue to twist the words and actions of the same-sex marriage supporters. They have stated that same-sex marriage supporters were attempting to intimidate them by “shaking bottles filled with rocks” and by carrying many rainbow balloons and umbrellas. Also, supporters have been known to bring “vicious dogs” to the rallies (I think they were even on leashes).Same-sex marriage supporters outnumbered NOM by more than 8 to 1 and were full of energy and passion. This rally seemed different from others to me because the group we were responding to seemed so much more tangible. I would have to say this aspect only heightened the energy of the marchers. Supporters marched with several different signs stating “Fix Marriage, Not Gays,” “My Love is Genderless,” “Gay, Straight, Black, White -- Marriage is a Civil Right,” and “Straight, Not Narrow” among many other slogans. Many signs were hand made, including my “Let Me Have a Family” one, while other supporters carried paper hearts, rainbow flags and a booming voice.
While there were a few things I think our group could have done differently, I would have to say our high attendance, great rally speakers and massive energy should be considered a success with the small amount of planning that had been put behind it. Plus, we had the Raging Grannies!
